Binary coded track means



May 8, 1962 A. A. CAPANNA 3,033,344

BINARY CODED TRACK MEANS 7h54 lumi.; m0. u.

ATTORNEY May 8, 1962 A. A. CAPANNA 3,033,344

BINARY CODED TRACK MEANS Filed July 14, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITS zo l24 56)' i 412/ 42 A s t 7a z\\\\\\ y\\\\ \\\\\\\\\/\\\\[Y\\\\\\ j 55 d@f2 Lai@ 29 46, Law 33W@ j@ ,Z22 2z ZZ 22 22 22 75 INVENTOR Moz fb A.Cam/m ATTORNE May 8, 1962 A. A. CAPANNA BINARY coDED TRACK MEANS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 14, 1959 INVENTR A. Capa mia TTOREYGJ i @SNN@swam N i @in mm wwm@ W w W ten ce 3,033,344 Patented May 8, 196923,033,344 BINARY CODED TRACK MEANS Adolfo A. Capanna, Stamford, Conn.,assigner to Pitney- Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn., a corporation ofDelaware Filed July 14, 1959, Ser. No. 827,066 1 Claim. (Cl. 198-38)This invention .relates to an Iarrangement useful in the sorting ofletter mail, Iand more particularly, relates to -a coding arrangementfor effecting the sorting of letter mail among a plurality of separatelocations.

The copending U.S. patent application of E. W. Tangard, Serial No. 786,134, tiled on January 12, 1959, now Patent No. 2,970,684 discloses aconveyor which is effective to move a plurality of pockets or receiversin oneby-one succession past a plurality of separate pocketdischargelocations. Pieces of letter mail will be sorted by depositing a letterin each pocket, coding each pocket according to the destination of theletter therein, and causing each pocket to discharge its letter at acorrespondingly coded discharge location of a plurality `of dischargelocations. l

According to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a set of codewheels is provided for each pocket of the conveyor, and the sets of codewheels Iare moved, concurrently with their respective pockets, inone-by-one succession along a longitudinally extending trackway. Thecode wheels of each set thereof are individually rotatable about arespective shaft, and each set of code wheels is coded by disposing eachcode wheel in one of a pair of alternative positions along its shaft.

The longitudinally extending trackway is formed by a plurality of setsof track blocks arranged in 4longitudinally extending succession. Eachset of track blocks comprises three laterally adjacent track blocks.Each track block comprises a single unitary code member having aplurality of laterally adjacent ,tr-ack sections. The track sections ofeach track block are disposed in only one of each of fou-r pairs ofalternative positions whereby each track block is coded to represent asingle-digit number from zero through nine.

Each track section of each track block cooperates with one code Wheel ofeach set of 'code wheels except when a track sect-ion is formed bycombining into a single track section what would otherwise be two tracksections in side-by-side abutting relation. In the case of this latterexception, one track section cooperates, of course, with two code wheelsof each set of 'code wheels.

When at least one code wheel `of `any set of code wheels lies in thesame alternative position as that of a cooperating track section of anyset of track blocks, that code wheel will engage and ride on that -tracksection and the entire set of code wheels will be prevented fromdescending to an operating or tripping level. When, however, all of thecode wheels of any set thereof lie in the respectively oppositealternative positions from those of all of the respectively cooperatingtrack sections of one of the sets of track blocks, none of the codewheels of that set of code wheels will ride on a track section of thatset of track blocks and the entire set of code wheels will descend to atripping level.

Each set of code wheels is so associated with one of the pockets of theconveyor that when a set of code wheels descends to the tripping level,a cam-follower is conditioned -to be tripped, thereby to open theassociated pocket for the discharge of its contents -at a particular oneof the discharge locations.

vrSince each tra-ck block represents al single-digit nurnber from zerothrough nine and since each set of track blocks has three track blocks,each track block set represents a three-digit number from zero throughnine hundred ninety-nine. Accordingly, the above-described arrangementof track blocks is capable of accommodating a conveyor having onethousand diierent discharge 1ocations. It will be -apparent then thatwith only ten different track blocks, one thousand differently coded,three-digit sets of track blocks can lbe set up. In the manner to bedescribed later in this description, two of the ten dierent track blockscan be reversed end`to-end so that each can be used to represent twodifferent singledigit numbers. The effect of this is that only eightdifferent track blocks are required to set up one thousand differentthree-digit combinations. Each track block has its single-digit numberindicated thereon whereby selection and assembly of the track blocks canbe rapidly, accurately and expeditiously accomplished.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved coding arrangement `for use in effecting the sorting ofarticles such as pieces of letter mail.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a coding`arrangement which includes a comparatively small number of differentlycoded members to accommodate a comparatively large number of differentlocations among which articles are `to be sorted.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a codingarrangement whereby selection and assembly of said differently codedmembersinto coded sets, as well as checking of said coded sets, arecapable of being rapidly, accurately and expeditiously accomplished.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. l is a `fragmentary plan view broken away in part and showing alongitudinally extending trackway including Vat least a portion of eachof three sets of track blocks according to the invention, along with aset of code wheels on a shaft at the first of the three track block setswhere the set `of code wheels is being rejected preparatory tosubsequent movement of the Ilatter to the second set of track blockswhere the set of code wheels will be accepted after ywhich Ithe set ofcode wheels will be rejected at the third set of track blocks;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational View of said irst set of track blocks ofFIG. 1 so coded that the set of code wheels shown thereabove are beingrejected thereby, the junction between said iirst set of track blocksland the immediately preceding set of track blocks being `shown partlyin section;

FIG. 3 lis la view similar to FIG. 2 bu-t showing said second set oftrack blocks of lFIG. l, which are coded so as to correspond to thecoding of the respective set of code wheels, `as having accepted thelatter;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but showing said third set oftrack blocks of FIG. 1, which are coded diierently from the coding ofthe respective set of code Wheels, in the act of rejecting the latter;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and showing aset of code wheels in full lines being rejected and therefore supportedby said first set of track blocks, showing that set of code wheels inbroken lines at a second position at which it has been accepted by saidsecond set of track blocks, and showing that set of code wheels inbroken lines at a third position at which it is being supported byauxilliary means while passing from said second set of track blocks tosaid third set of track blocks;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing ten groups of code wheels coded insuccession from left to right to represent the ten single-digit numbersconsecutively from Zero through nine, the four binary 0 positions beingindicated by dot-dash lines, the value of each code wheel in D itsbinary l position being indicated thereon, and the number represented byeach group of code wheels being indicated thereabove.

Referring particularly to FIGS. l, 2 and 5, there is shown a set oftwelve code wheels generally designated by the reference numeral 20.Each of the code wheels of set 20 is designated by the reference numeral22 and all of the code wheels of this set are carried by a shaft 24 forrotation thereabout. Shaft 24 has twenty-four peripheral grooves 26, twofor each code wheel. Taking the righthand groove of the pair of groovesfor each code wheel, as viewed in FIGS. l and 2, to be at a binary O(zero) position, the left-hand groove of each pair will be at a binary 1(one) position. Shaft 24 also carries a plurality of split-ring stops 28which separate the respective pairs of grooves 26 so that, when eachcode wheel 22 is in its binary position, it will be retained by a groove26 and will engage a stop 28 at its right-hand side and, when in itsbinary 1 position, each code wheel 22 will be retained by a groove 26and will engage a stop 28 at its left-hand f side. By way of example,the code wheel 22 at the far left-hand side of each of FIGS. l and 2 hasits right-hand side engaging a stop 28, and this code wheel is thereforein its binary O position. The twelve code wheels 22 of set are in threegroups of four code wheels each, and each group of code wheelsrepresents a single-digit number from zero through nine. As indicated inFIG. 4, the right-hand group represents the units digit, the centergroup the tens digit, and the left-hand group the hundreds digit.Starting from the right-hand side of each group of code wheels as viewedin FIG. 2, the first code wheel has a value of one when in its binary 1position; and, when in their binary l positions, the second code wheelhas a value of two, the third a value of four, and the fourth a value ofeight. (The four code wheels of each group will hereinafter be soreferred to as the first, second, third and fourth code wheels,respectively.) When any code wheel 22 is in its binary 0 position, ithas a value of zero. The sum of the values of all of the code wheels ofeach group is equal to the single-digit number represented by thatgroup. When all of the code wheels 22 of any group thereof are in theirbinary 0 positions as shown by the group of code wheels labelled 0 inFIG. 6, the number represented by that group will be zero. When only thefirst code wheel of a group is in its binary 1 position as shown by thegroup of code wheels labelled l in FIG. 6, the number represented bythat group will be one. Similarly, the second wheel, when shifted to itsbinary 1 position, adds the value of two to the total value of itsgroup.

To represent the number three, the rst and second code wheels of a groupare shifted to their binary l positions as shown by the group of codewheels labelled 3 in FIG. 6. It will be apparent that the ten differentvalues from zero through nine can be set up in this manner, all asindicated in sequence from left to right in FIG. 6. By way of example,the set of code wheels 20 as shown in each of FIGS. 1-4 has been codedto represent the number three hundred fteen since only the first andsecond code wheels of the hundreds digit group have been shifted totheir binary 1 positions, only the first code wheel of the tens digitgroup has been shifted to its binary 1 position, and only the first andthird code wheels of the units digit group have been shifted to theirbinary 1 positions.

The set of code wheels 20 asdescribed above represents one of aplurality of identical but individually coded sets of code wheels whichare moved in oneby-one succession along a longitudinally extendingtrackway by a conveyor. For additional details of the sets of codewheels, and for the details of a conveyor for so moving the code wheelssets, reference is hereby made to the above-cited copending patentapplication of E. W. Tangard.

The longitudinally extending trackway mentioned above will now bedescribed. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the illustratedembodiment of the invention includes a longitudinally extending trackbed 29 supported by a pair of angular frame members 31, 33, these framemembers being, in turn, supported by the frame of the conveyor.

Retained on track bed 29, by means later to be described, are aplurality of code members in the form of track blocks having thereference numerals 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, respectively. Eachtrack block is a single unitary piece including a base 46 and aplurality of transversely spaced projections or track sections 48 and50. It will be noted from FIGS. 1-4 that each track section 50 has awidth substantially twice that of each of track sections 4S. Each tracksection 48 of each track block cooperates with one code wheel 22 of eachset of code wheels. Each track section 50 of a respective track block isformed by combining into a single track section what would otherwise betwo track sections in side-by-side abutting relation. It will beapparent then that each track section 50, having a width twice that ofeach of track sections 48, cooperates with two code wheels 22 of eachset of code wheels. The track sections of each track block lie in onlyone of each of four pairs of laterally adjacent positions. The eightpositions across which each track block extends form a group whichcorresponds to the eight positions across which each group of four codewheels 22 of each set of code wheels extends. Starting from theright-hand side of each of the track blocks as viewed in each of FIGS. 1and 2, the first track section of each track block has a value of onewhen in the binary 0 position; and, when in their binary 0 positions,the second track section of each track block has a value of two, thethird track section of each track block has a value of four, and thefourth track section of each track block has a value of eight. This isin contradistinction to the code wheels in that each code wheel, asnoted above, has a value other than zero only when it is in the oppositebinary position, namely, the binary 1 position. It follows that eachtrack section, when in its binary 1 position, has a value of zero. Incommon with the code wheels of each group of four thereof, each trackblock has each of its track sections lying in the right-hand one of itspair of alternative positions when in the binary 0 position and in theleft-hand one when in the binary 1 position.

Each track block represents a single-digit number from Zero throughnine. Taking the track block 39, one of which is disposed at the lowerleft corner and one at the upper right corner of FIG. l, all of tracksections 48 thereof are in their binary 1 (left-hand) positions. Thetotal value of this track block 30, which is equal to the single-digitnumber represented by this track block, is therefore zero. Only thefirst track section of track block 38 lies in its binary 0 positionwhereby this track block represents the number one. The double-widthtrack section 50 of track block 34 lies in the two positions which wouldotherwise be those occupied by two separate, abutting, single-widthfirst and second track sections, with only the second track section inits binary O position whereby this track block represents the numbertwo. Only the rst and the second track sections 48 of track block 36 liein their binary 0 positions so that this track block represents thenumber three. The doublewidth track section 50 of track block 32 lies inthe two positions which would otherwise be those occupied by twoseparate, abutting, single-width second and third track sections, withonly the third track section in its binary 0 position. This track block32 therefore represents the number four. Track blocks 40, 42 and 44follow this same pattern to represent the numbers five, six and eight,respectively, as shown in FIG. l. It will be noted that track block 38,which represents the number one as shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, canbe reversed end-to-end to represent the number seven. Also, track block42, which represents the number six as shown in each of FIGS. 1 and 2,can be reversed end-to-end to represent the number nine. Furthermore,each of track blocks 36 and 40 is symmetrical about a central,longitudinal, vertical plane so that each of these two track blocksrepresents the same respective number when reversed end-to-end.

Each of the track blocks has its respective single-digit numberindicated thereon. Each of the track blocks is molded of rubber or othernoise-dampening material, and the number represented by each track blockis marked thereon by raised or depressed marks in the mold. Each trackblock has its number indicated thereon at its trailing end with respectto the direction of movement of the respective sets of code wheels 20 asindicated by the direction-of-movement arrow adjacent the lower leftcorner of FIG. l. Each of track blocks 36, 38, `40 and 42 is marked atboth of its opposite ends to indicate the number represented therebywhen reversed end-toend. An arrow is marked adjacent the numberindicated on each track block thereby to indicate that the respectivenumber should be read with the arrow adjacent thereto pointing to a camtrack S2 later to be described.

The track blocks are arranged in successive, transversely extending setsrespectively designated generally by the reference numerals 54, 56 and5'8, and, as shown in each of FIGS. 1-4, there are three track blocks toeach set thereof. As shown in FIG. l and respectively in FIGS. 2, 3 and4, track block set 54 is coded to represent the three-digit number zeroforty-two, track block set 56 is coded to represent the three-digitnumber three hundred fifteen, and track block set 58- is coded torepresentthe three digit number six hundred eighty. It will be apparentthat each track block set can be coded to represent any one of the onethousand three-digit numbers from zero through nine hundred ninety-nine.The conveyor, of course, provides a separate discharge location for eachset of track blocks.

A ller strip 60 of material such as steel is disposed on track bed 29 inabutting relation between the bases 46 of the track blocks of each twosuccessive sets thereof. As is apparent from FIG. l, the base 46 of eachof the track blocks extends longitudinally a greater distance than thetrack sections thereof to provide a shoulder at each end thereof. Aplurality of headed bolts 62, each having an integral flange 64 adjacentits head, extend through aligned apertures in each filler strip and intrack bed 29 into threaded engagement with respective nuts 66. Theflange 64 of each bolt 62 overlaps the respective shoulders of the trackblocks between which it lies, whereby the track blocks are rigidly heldin their respective positions on track bed 29 when the nuts 66 aretightened down. Each of ller strips 60 carries an integral cross-piece68 at one end to aid in retaining each of a plurality of cam trackpieces 70 in accurately spaced relation to the adjacent track blocks.

All of cam track pieces 70 are identical with each other and lie insuccessive, longitudinally extending, mutually abutting relation to formthe continuous cam track 52. Each of cam track pieces 70 is -secured inplace against a cross-piece 68 and on -track bed 29 by means of screws72, each of the latter extending through aligned apertures in framemember 33 and track bed 29 into tightened threaded engagement with arespective cam track piece 70. Cam track 52 includes a channel formed,in part, -by two upstanding side walls 7'4, 74. As exemplied by the codewheel set 20 as shown in the drawing, the shaft 24 of each of thesuccessive sets of code wheels carries a cam follower roller 76 of thesame diameter as that of each of the code wheels 22. Each cam followerroller 76 is laterally fixed on its shaft 24 by means of a pair of splitrings 78, 78 for rotation about its shaft. Each cam follower rollerrides between side walls 74, 74 lancl is guided thereby againstsubstantial lateral movement whereby each set of code wheels is guidedlaterally as it moves along the trackway.

The bottom of the channel formed by cam track 52 is formed, in part, bysuccessively alternate upper and lower cam dwell surfaces 80 and 82,respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. Cam dwell surfaces I and 82 areinterconnected by gradually `sloping cam surfaces 84 and 86respectively. As shown in FIG. 5 and as described more in detail in theabove-cited copending application of E. W. Tangard, the shaft 24 of eachset of code wheels is carried by a pair of laterally spaced brackets 88(only one of which is shown in FIG. 5) for pivotal movement about arespective main shaft 90. Each main shaft 90 is moved by the conveyoralong the trackway at a constant level relative thereto. As indicated byFIG. 5, an upper cam dwell surface 80 is disposed laterally adjacent thelongitudinal space between each two longitudinally adjacent sets oftrack blocks to retain each set of code wheels in raised relation abovethe tripping level described above. A lower cam dwell surface y82 isdisposed laterally adjacent each set of track blocks and longitudinallybetween the ends of the track sections of each set of track blocks. Whenat least one of the twelve code wheels 22 of any set thereof is disposedin the same binary position as that of its cooperaitng track section ofany set of track'blocks, that code wheel will ride on that tracksection, thereby preventing the cam follower roller 76 of that codewheel set from riding down a gradually downwardly sloping cam tracksurface 84. The result is that that entire set of code wheels will beprevented from descending pivotally about its main shaft 90 to thetripping level. When, however, all twelve code wheels 22 of any setthereof are disposed in the respectively oppositebinary positions fromthose of their cooperating track sections offany set of track blocks,that set of track blocks will permit the cam follower roller of thatcode wheel set to ride on a downwardly sloping cam surface 84 and thenon the succeeding lower cam dwell surface 82. The result is that thatset of code wheels will descend, under the weight of the code wheels 22and shaft 24, pivotally about the respective main shaft 90 to thetripping level.

The code wheels 22 of the code wheel set 20, as shown in each of FIGS. 14, are coded to represent the number three hundred fifteen. Track blockset 54, as shown in each of FIGS. l and 2, is coded to represent thenumber zero forty-two. This being the case, the first, second and thirdcode wheels of the units digit group, the rst and third code wheels ofthe tens digit group, and the first and second code wheels of thehundreds digit group (all of code wheel set 20) will be in the samebinary position as their respectively cooperating track sections oftrack block set 54. Each of these named code wheels will therefore rideon its cooperating track section thereby preventing that code wheel setfrom descending to the tripping level. This condition is depicted inFIG. 5 wherein certain of the code wheels 22 (in the full-linepositions) are riding on cooperating track sections 48 therebypreventing the cam follower roller 76 from riding on upwardly slopingcam surface 86 o-f cam track 52. Track block set 56, as shown in each ofFIGS. l and 3, is coded to represent the same number as that to whichcode wheel set 20 has been coded, namely, three hundred fifteen.Therefore, all of the code wheels 22 of set 20 will be in the oppositebinary positions from those of their respectively cooperating trackSections of track block set 56 whereby code wheel set 20 will descendpivotally about main shaft 90 to the tripping level under the control ofcam follower roller 76 as the latter rides on downwardly sloping camsurface 84. See FIG. 5. Code wheel set 20 remains in the trippingposition as cam follower roller 76 rides on lower cam dwell surface 82(see the rst broken-line position of code wheel 22 in FIG. 5) and isreturned to the non-tripping level by the succeeding upwardly slopingcam surface 86. As is the case between each two succeeding sets of trackblocks, cam follower roller 76 rides on an upper cam dwell surface 80while moving across the space adjacent the junction between the trackblock sets 56 and 58 (see the second broken-line position of code wheel22 in FIG. 5). Track block set 58 is coded to represent the number sixhundred eighty whereby the rst and third code wheels of the units digitgroup, the rst and fourth code wheels of the tensl digit group and thefirst and third code wheels of the hundreds digit group (all of codewheel set 20) will ride on their respectively cooperating tracksections, with the result that the code wheel set 20 is rejected bytrack block set S8 and does not descend to the tripping level.

As brought out in the general description above and as described indetail in the above-cited patent application of E. W. Tangard, when anyone of the'sets of code wheels descends to the tripping level theletter-carrying pocket associated therewith discharges its letter at theproper one of a plurality of different discharge locations. In thismanner, sorting of the letter mail is accomplished. lt will be obviousthat articles other than lettermail, such as sheets, cards, etc., can besorted in the same manner. Setting of the code wheels 22 to their codedpositions on shaft 24 can be accomplished by means of the device shownand described in my copending U.S. patent application Serial No.800,891, filed on March 20, 1959, now Patent No. 2,979,183.

From the above description and the accompanying drawings, it will beapparent that the present invention provides the above-stated objectsand other advantages. Setting up of the trackway is accomplished bysimply picking out, among only eight different track blocks, the threeappropriate track blocks of each set of track blocks; assembling thetrack block sets in succession, along with ller strips 60, on the trackbed 29; and securing the track block sets in place by tightening downnuts 65 on headed screws 62. Only eight different track blocks beingrequired, and the number represented by each track block being indicatedthereon; selection of the correct blocks, assembly thereof into as manyas one thousand different track block sets, and checking of theassembled track blocks are rapidly, accurately and expeditiouslyaccomplished. Because only eight diiferent track blocks are required torepresent the ten single-digit numbers from zero through nine, onlyeight corresponding molding dies are required to rnold all of thedifferent track blocks.

Since many changes could be made in the embodiment 3 of the invention asparticularly described and shown herein without departing from thescopeof the invention, it is intended that this embodiment be considered asexemplary and that the invention not belimited except as warranted bythe following claim.

What is claimed is:

A binary-coded assembly adapted to accept or reject each of a pluralityof successively presented, individually coded sets of code elements;said assembly comprising a longitudinally extending track bed; aplurality of sets of unitary track blocks arranged on said bed inlongitudinally extending succession; the track blocks of each of saidsets lying on said bed in laterally adjacent relation to each other andtransversely of a plurality of longitudinallyextending positions of aplurality of laterally adjacent pairs of laterally adjacent, alternativepositions arranged in a plurality of groups; each of said track blocksincluding a base and a plurality of transversely spaced projectionslying in only one of the alternative positions of all of the pairs ofone of said groups to represent a selected single-digit number wherebyeach of said projections, when lying in a position coinciding with theposition of a code element of any one of said sets thereof, engages thatcode element to reject that set of code elements and otherwise permitsacceptance of that set of code elements; the base of each track blockextending longitudinally a greater distance than the projections thereofto provide a shoulder at each end thereof; a filler strip securedbetween and engaged with the respective bases of the track blocks ofeach two succeeding sets of track blocks; means secured in overlappingrelation with the mutually adjacent shoulders of the track blocks of thesucceeding sets thereof to retain said track blocks on said track bed;and each of said track blocks having its selected single-digit numberindicated thereon.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,807,376 Lens Sept. 24, 1957 2,864,557 Hobbs Dec. 16, 1958 2,901,089Rabinow Aug. 25, 1959

